William Thoresen

Serial Killer

William Erness Thoresen III: A Life of Crime and Violence

Early Life and Background

William Erness Thoresen III was born on October 9, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of William E. Thoresen II, president of Chicago's Great Western Steel Company, and Catherine Ehrman Thoresen. Growing up in a wealthy family, Thoresen exhibited troubling behavior from an early age, including sneaking into neighbors' homes and harassing local families. His parents' concerns led to multiple admissions to mental health facilities during his teenage years.

Marriage to Louise Banich

In 1958, Thoresen married Louise Banich, a carpenter's daughter. Instead of curbing his criminal tendencies, their relationship evolved into a partnership in crime. Louise became complicit in his illegal activities, providing false alibis and assisting in the transportation of illegal firearms.

Criminal Activities and Suspected Murders

Thoresen's criminal record was extensive, encompassing illegal arms possession, theft, and assault. Notably, he was arrested for possessing 77 tons of weapons, including machine guns, mortars, mines, and grenades. Several murders have been linked to Thoresen, either through direct suspicion or alleged confessions: - **Richard Thoresen (1965):** Thoresen's younger brother, Richard, was found dead in a rented car in Illinois from a single gunshot wound to the head. Thoresen reportedly confessed to orchestrating his brother's murder by hiring a hitman and later killing the assassin himself. - **Valerie Percy (September 18, 1966):** Valerie, the daughter of U.S. Senate candidate Charles Percy, was brutally murdered in her Kenilworth, Illinois, home. She was beaten and stabbed to death. Thoresen, whose parents were neighbors of the Percys, was considered a suspect due to his violent history and proximity to the crime scene. - **Judith Mae Andersen (1957):** Judith was dismembered in Chicago. Thoresen was investigated for her murder, as the crime bore similarities to his known methods. - **Cheri Jo Bates (October 30, 1966):** Cheri was murdered in Riverside, California. Some researchers have suggested Thoresen's involvement due to similarities in the modus operandi and his presence in California during that period. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (0)

It was William Erness Thoresen III. : r/ZodiacKiller - Reddit

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